Complaining in person
Having worked in a normal shop, a fast food restaurant and a call centre while progressing my education, I've become sympathetic to the front line staff - if I have a problem, I explain the situation, iterate that I realise it's not their fault and try and get them on my side (reserving my shouting for those in a position to actually do something about it).

Five years ago I was nowhere near as sensitive and far more of a cock.

My mp3 player developed a fault (headphone jack was FUBARed) so I went into PC World to replace it. As I'd got £15 off it due to an offer when I bought it, I decided to check up on the Sale Of Goods Act in case of any potential problems. Good thing I did really. They weren't able to give me a direct replacement as they were out of stock, so I chose one of a slightly different design which happened to be £5 more than the price I paid for mine. So we get back to the till, he scans them in, takes my details and says "right, so that'll be £5.02 please."

Me: "No it won't."

Tillmonkey: "Yes, it's £5.02 more expensive than your one. Company policy states that we have to take payment to make it the same price."

Me: "I don't give a toss about your company policy, UK Law states that "if a product is found to be faulty after less than six months use the customer is entitled to a direct replacement. If such a replacement is unavailable the customer is entitled to a replacement of similar specifics at no extra cost". And your company policy is against the law."

*Manager wanders over*

Manager: "Is there a problem?"

Tillmonkey: "No, not at all."

Me: "Yes." *puts crash helmet on desk. Manager and tillmonkey visibly pale* "Your tillmonkey here doesn't know the Sale of Goods Act of 1979 and is trying to get me to pay an extra £5 because you happen to be out of stock of a replacement for an mp3 player that I'd had for four months before it broke through no fault of my own. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm soaked to the skin because it's raining outside. I'm also extremely hungry, and very low on patience. Are you going to waive this charge, or am I going to have to start writing letters to Head Office, the local press and Trading Standards?"

Manager: "I think we'll ignore the £5.02."

Me: "I think that would be very wise."
(jamesthegill opens new tabs with his scroll wheel, Thu 2 Sep 2010, 20:45, Reply)